What to Know About Bike Accidents That Involve Children

A child in New Jersey was recently struck and killed by a large truck while riding his bicycle. What led to the accident, however, has not yet been determined. The very serious accident resulted in several road closures as well as detours.

Bike Accidents Involving Children

While riding a bicycle is an activity enjoyed by many children, doing so has the potential to result in serious accidents. When children are harmed by another responsible party while riding their bicycles, families often find it is important to obtain the assistance of a skilled attorney who can help them obtain the compensation they deserve. It also helps to understand some of the various ways in which bicycle accidents occur.

Safety Tips for Kids and Bicycles

There are several safety patterns that children should follow while riding their bicycles to reduce the risk of being involved in an accident. Some of the bicycle safety steps that The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommends that children follow include:

• Always wearing bicycle helmets that adequately fit their head.
• Avoiding riding at night instead of during the day because children are harder to see in the dark. If a child must ride the bicycle at night, he or she should make sure to wear clothing that can easily be seen by others.
• Checking equipment including making sure that brakes work and inflating tires properly each time before riding.
• Making sure to always ride with at least one hand on the handlebars. This means that children should never carry items while riding their bicycle.
• Remaining alert to various road hazards including broken glass and gravel, which can quickly lead to very serious accidents.
• Riding a bicycle where the bicycle adequately fits the child including proper seat height and handlebars that are at the same level as the seat.
• Using safe driving techniques which include going with the flow of traffic, obeying traffic laws, yielding when it is appropriate to do so, always remaining alert to surrounding conditions, looking before turning, and watching for parked cars.
• Wearing bright colors, fluorescent, or neon to make sure that children are seen by others while riding.

The Most Common Causes of Child Bicycle Accidents

Bicycle accidents can happen in a variety of ways, but some of the most common examples include the following:

• Bicycles are sometimes manufactured or sold with defective parts, which can lead to serious injuries and even fatalities.
• Negligent drivers are the primary cause of bicycle accident involving children. There are numerous types of driving patterns that can be considered negligent including distracted driving, drunk driving, and speeding.
• Numerous conditions on Michigan roads including cracks, potholes, and other hazardous conditions can lead to bicycle accidents that severely harm children.

Speak with an Experienced Accident Attorney Today

At Ferrara & Gable, our legal counsel has successfully helped numerous bicycle accident victims obtain compensation for accidents. To make sure that you receive the compensation that you deserve, speak with an experienced bicycle accident attorney who can help navigate the various obstacles that arise in your case. Contact us today for assistance.